Peace Washington stands outside the Texas Capitol dress as the Statute of Liberty, Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The Texas House approved HB 2 with a third and final vote Wednesday, which would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Peace Washington stands outside the Texas Capitol dress as the Statute of Liberty, Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The Texas House approved HB 2 with a third and final vote Wednesday, which would ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Texas state troopers stand in the Capitol rotunda as they watch opponents of HB 2, an abortion bill, after the Texas House made their final vote, Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The approved bill, which now goes to the Texas Senate, would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Texas state troopers stand in the Capitol rotunda as they watch opponents of HB 2, an abortion bill, after the Texas House made their final vote, Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The approved bill, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Opponents of HB 2, an abortion bill, yell outside the Texas House after the final vote, Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill, which now goes to the Texas Senate, would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Opponents of HB 2, an abortion bill, yell outside the Texas House after the final vote, Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill, which now goes to the Texas Senate, would require doctors to have ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Hope Phillips, and opponent of HB 2, an abortion bill, yells with others outside the Texas House after the final vote, Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill, which now goes to the Texas Senate, would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Hope Phillips, and opponent of HB 2, an abortion bill, yells with others outside the Texas House after the final vote, Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill, which now goes to the Texas Senate, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Opponents of HB 2, an abortion bill, yell outside the Texas House after the final vote, Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill, which now goes to the Texas Senate, would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Opponents of HB 2, an abortion bill, yell outside the Texas House after the final vote, Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill, which now goes to the Texas Senate, would require doctors to have ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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DPS troopers keep an eye on protestors congregating in the rotunda area in the state capitol building on July 10, 2013.

DPS troopers keep an eye on protestors congregating in the rotunda area in the state capitol building on July 10, 2013.

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Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, holds a sonogram showing his unborn son during final remarks before a provisonal vote on HB 2, an abortion bill,Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A final, formal vote is scheduled for Wednesday. The bill, which passed, would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Rep. Jason Villalba, R-Dallas, holds a sonogram showing his unborn son during final remarks before a provisonal vote on HB 2, an abortion bill,Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A final, formal vote is ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, AP

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Abortion opponent Madison Salmons, right, 14, of Mesquite, Texas, prays outside the Capitol in Austin, Texas on Tuesday July 9, 2013, as the Texas House debated tough new abortion restrictions prior to taking part in a planned vote on the measure. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Jay Janner) less

Abortion opponent Madison Salmons, right, 14, of Mesquite, Texas, prays outside the Capitol in Austin, Texas on Tuesday July 9, 2013, as the Texas House debated tough new abortion restrictions prior to taking ... more

Photo: Jay Janner, AP

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In this Monday, July 8, 2013 photo Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott speaks to a anti-abortion rally, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

In this Monday, July 8, 2013 photo Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott speaks to a anti-abortion rally, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Photo: Eric Gay, AP

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Anti-abortion supporters take part in a rosary procession around the Texas Capitol as the Texas House debates HB 2, a bill that will place restrictions on abortion in the state, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Anti-abortion supporters take part in a rosary procession around the Texas Capitol as the Texas House debates HB 2, a bill that will place restrictions on abortion in the state, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Anti-abortion supporters pray outside the Texas Capitol as the Texas House debates HB 2, a bill that will place restrictions on abortion in the state, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Anti-abortion supporters pray outside the Texas Capitol as the Texas House debates HB 2, a bill that will place restrictions on abortion in the state, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Anti-abortion supporters sing in the rotunda of the Texas Capitol as the Texas House debates HB 2, a bill that will place restrictions on abortion in the state, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Anti-abortion supporters sing in the rotunda of the Texas Capitol as the Texas House debates HB 2, a bill that will place restrictions on abortion in the state, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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A woman carries a sign as she marches with other pro-abortion rights supporters through downtown Austin, Texas on Monday evening, July 8, 2013. The Texas House began debating a bill on Tuesday that would impose tough new restrictions on abortions. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Alberto Martinez) less

A woman carries a sign as she marches with other pro-abortion rights supporters through downtown Austin, Texas on Monday evening, July 8, 2013. The Texas House began debating a bill on Tuesday that would ... more

Photo: Alberto Martínez, AP

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Supporters of HB 2, an abortion bill, react in the gallery of the Texas House after the bill was provisionally approved, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A final, formal vote is scheduled for Wednesday. The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Supporters of HB 2, an abortion bill, react in the gallery of the Texas House after the bill was provisionally approved, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A final, formal vote is scheduled for Wednesday. ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, AP

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Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker, center, sponsor of HB 2, an abortion bill, leaves the Texas House floor after the bill was provisionally approved, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A final, formal vote is scheduled for Wednesday. The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker, center, sponsor of HB 2, an abortion bill, leaves the Texas House floor after the bill was provisionally approved, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A final, formal vote ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, AP

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Opponents of HB 2, an abortion bill, yell outside the Texas House after the bill was provisionally approved, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A final, formal vote is scheduled for Wednesday. The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Opponents of HB 2, an abortion bill, yell outside the Texas House after the bill was provisionally approved, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A final, formal vote is scheduled for Wednesday. The bill ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, AP

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Opponents of HB 2, an abortion bill, yell outside the Texas House after the bill was provisionally approved, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A final, formal vote is scheduled for Wednesday. The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Opponents of HB 2, an abortion bill, yell outside the Texas House after the bill was provisionally approved, Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A final, formal vote is scheduled for Wednesday. The bill ... more

Photo: Eric Gay, AP

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Speaker of the House Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, strikes the gavel after a provisional vote on HB 2, an abortion bill approving tough new abortion restrictions, passed Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A final, formal vote is scheduled for Wednesday. The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Speaker of the House Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, strikes the gavel after a provisional vote on HB 2, an abortion bill approving tough new abortion restrictions, passed Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. A ... more

State Sen. Wendy Davis, center left, and Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards greet the crowd during the Planned Parenthood Action Fund's Stand with Texas Women Rally at Discovery Green in Houston, ... more

Photo: Billy Smith II, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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A rally partcipant holds up a sign during the Planned Parenthood Action Fund's Stand with Texas Women Rally at Discovery Green in Houston, Texas. The Rally highlighted the abortion restriction bill, House Bill 2 being Pushed in Austin Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Billy Smith II) less

A rally partcipant holds up a sign during the Planned Parenthood Action Fund's Stand with Texas Women Rally at Discovery Green in Houston, Texas. The Rally highlighted the abortion restriction bill, House Bill ... more

A rally participant holds up a sign during the Planned Parenthood Action Fund's Stand with Texas Women Rally at Discovery Green in Houston, Texas Tuesday July 9, 2013. The Rally highlighted the abortion restriction bill, House Bill 2 being Pushed in Austin. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Billy Smith II) less

A rally participant holds up a sign during the Planned Parenthood Action Fund's Stand with Texas Women Rally at Discovery Green in Houston, Texas Tuesday July 9, 2013. The Rally highlighted the abortion ... more

Photo: Billy Smith II, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Catherine Arnold, left, of Spring Texas has her photo taken with State Sen. Wendy Davis during the Planned Parenthood Action Fund's Stand with Texas Women Rally at Discovery Green in Houston, Texas. The Rally highlighted the abortion restriction bill, House Bill 2 being Pushed in Austin Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, Billy Smith II) less

Catherine Arnold, left, of Spring Texas has her photo taken with State Sen. Wendy Davis during the Planned Parenthood Action Fund's Stand with Texas Women Rally at Discovery Green in Houston, Texas. The Rally ... more

State Sen. Wendy Davis, center, signs autographs and takes photos with the crowd during the Planned Parenthood Action Fund's Stand with Texas Women Rally at Discovery Green in Houston, Texas. The Rally ... more

Photo: Billy Smith II, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Clinics close as providers plan appeal of abortion ruling

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AUSTIN -- Texas abortion providers on Friday said they would aggressively appeal a federal appeals court decision that has at least temporarily left fewer than 10 clinics operating in the state of nearly 27 million people.

The providers still are determining whether to appeal for reconsideration by the appeals court or directly to the U.S. Supreme Court, but think "the case is going to end up in the Supreme Court sooner rather than later," said Stephanie Toti of the Center for Reproductive Rights, a New York-based advocacy group handling the legal case, on a morning conference call.

"It is going to be a showdown that we have not seen in two decades over whether Roe vs. Wade will have any meaning," said Nancy Northup, the president of the group, during the call.

The Thursday evening decision reversed a temporary win for providers by pausing a lower court's ruling against two provisions of the state's tough new abortion law approved by the Texas Legislature last summer.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled that as the case continues enforcement should begin of the provisions, requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital and abortion facilities to meet the standards hospital-style surgical centers.

On March 6, Texas voters will decide who will carry the Democratic party's mantle into the battle for governor and a slew of other statewide offices. Click here for full coverage of the primary elections. Find our voters guide here.